N5.3bn fraud: Court orders Nnamani’s arrest

AFederal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the arrest of a former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, over alleged laundering of N4.5 billion.

The court issued the bench warrant against Nnamani after he failed to show up to stand trial.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Mr Kelvin Uzozie announced appearance for the prosecution, while Mr Abubakar Shamsudeen accused.

The prosecution then informed the court of the absence of the accused and prayed the court for a bench warrant against him as well as a summons for the sureties to appear before the court.

Justice Chuka Obiozor, the trial judge said the case had drawn on since 2007 and the defence was still asking for plea.

He said, “This matter was slated for re-arraignment today, and I have not found any justification for appeared for the the absence of the accused before this court to take their pleas. There must be an end to litigation. In the peculiar circumstances of this case, and particularly in the absence of any convincing explanation on the absence of the defendants before this court today, it is hereby ordered: That a bench warrant be issued against the first and second defendants, as well as a summons for the sureties to show cause. Consequently, this case is adjourned until Dec. 14, for further proceedings.”